US5309229A - Dual optic video display bearing inspection system - Google Patents

Dual optic video display bearing inspection system Download PDF

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Publication number
US5309229A
US5309229A US07/761,730 US76173091A US5309229A US 5309229 A US5309229 A US 5309229A US 76173091 A US76173091 A US 76173091A US 5309229 A US5309229 A US 5309229A
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Prior art keywords
video
bearing
inspected
probes
view
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Expired - Fee Related
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US07/761,730
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English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth Stolz
Gerhard A. Thelen
Paul G. Steets
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Consolidated Rail Corp
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Consolidated Rail Corp
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Priority to US07/761,730 priority Critical patent/US5309229A/en
Assigned to CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION reassignment CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: THELEN, GERHARD A.
Assigned to CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION reassignment CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STEETS, PAUL G.
Assigned to CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION reassignment CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: STOLTZ, KENNETH
Priority to CA002078305A priority patent/CA2078305A1/fr
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
    • G01N21/95—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
    • G01N21/954—Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for inspecting the condition of bearings. More particularly, the present invention relates to the visual inspection of the rolling elements and races of bearings using a video system.
  • Ball bearings and roller bearings can be found in nearly every type of machine and device with rotating parts. Roller bearings are frequently specified when shock and impact loads are present, or when a large bearing is needed. Both ball and roller bearings generally consist of at least four elements: inner and outer bearing rings (also known as races), the rollers (or balls) and a cage (or bearing separator). The "cone" of a bearing consists of three of these elements: the inner ring, rollers and separator. The construction and function of ball and roller bearing assemblies is familiar to those of ordinary skill.
  • bearings are precisely constructed, failure after a certain point is inevitable. Such failure may be caused by foreign objects or due to flaws in the bearing components themselves. Other failure modes are simply caused by wear. However, if the advent of failure is discovered, most bearings can be removed from service and refurbished or rebuilt prior to a catastrophic failure that would at the very least require replacement of the bearings. It has therefore become recognized that bearings can be visually inspected and the amount of wear can be determined both qualitatively and quantitatively to permit a decision to be made about the remaining useful life of a bearing.
  • roller bearing cones are placed on a back lit inspection stand.
  • the inspection stand holds the cone in a manner that permits it to be rotated, and illuminates the bearing from behind to permit an inspector to view portions of the bearing.
  • the inner ring is then rotated and the rollers and inner raceway are visually inspected by observing the back lit areas.
  • certain areas of the inner raceway are indented and cannot be seen using the back-lit method since they are located outside the line of sight of the inspector.
  • a pointed feeler gage is held over the area while the cone is being rotated.
  • a defect e.g., a spall
  • the feeler gage will cause the feeler gage to transmit a slight mechanical vibration to the hand of the inspector.
  • the inspector can determine whether the defect indicated is condemnable and constitutes a reason to repair the bearing, or scrap the cone if the defect cannot be repaired.
  • Santa Fe One attempt to provide improved rail car bearing inspections is known as the "Santa Fe” method, which involves a device analogous to a phonograph turntable that rotates a bearing while a stylus traces a path across the race surfaces.
  • the deflections of the stylus provide an analog signal that can be displayed on an oscilloscope as a measure of the relative smoothness of the path traced by the stylus.
  • This system it is possible to detect certain types of flaws by quantifying the permissible level of deflection as measured on the oscilloscope scale.
  • this method cannot detect those types of flaws that do not exhibit surface deformations, it can only be used to reject bearings prior to undertaking the abovedescribed manual/feeler gage inspection.
  • the present invention provides methods of inspecting a surface of an object, wherein the surface being inspected is bidden so as to be blocked from view in a single line of sight.
  • the methods comprise the steps of inserting a video probe into an object such that it can view at least a portion of the surface to be inspected and then inserting a second video probe into the object such that it may view the portion of the surface to be inspected that was not within the field of view of the first video probe.
  • the video signals collected by these video probes are then displayed.
  • two separate video monitors are provided to display the images generated by the two video probes simultaneously.
  • the surface being inspected and the video probes are then moved relative to one another such that the entire surface to be inspected is visually reviewed as displayed images.
  • the present invention provides methods comprising inserting a first and second video probe as explained above and mounting the bearing on a rotating bearing stand.
  • the bearing stand is motorized and will automatically rotate the bearing. The displayed images are reviewed for defects and as the bearing rotates, the entire surface of the inner race is eventually displayed and has been inspected.
  • the present invention also provides apparatus for inspecting a surface of a roller bearing comprising a first and second video probe, a rotating bearing stand and one or more monitors for displaying the images collected by the first and second video probes.
  • a motor is provided to automatically rotate the bearing surface being inspected and a motorized frame is also provided in certain embodiments to move one or both of the video probes into and out of the bearing assembly.
  • an operator control panel is provided that will permit the video images to be controlled, as well as the motorized bearing stand and motorized frame that positions the video probes.
  • a scale is provided on or adjacent to the projected images in order to permit the size of the defects being viewed to be accurately determined.
  • FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a video inspection apparatus made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the video inspection apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a front view of a dual display bearing inspection stand 100 made in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention utilizes a bearing inspection stand 110 that permits the bearing being inspected to be rotated, however, unlike the prior art method described above, no back-lighting is used.
  • the inspection stand 110 of the present invention is most preferably connected to a motor 112 via belts and pulleys 114,116 that permit the bearing being inspected to be rotated automatically at a controlled rate of speed. Controls on an operator panel 120 permit the rotation of the bearing to be started and stopped, and the speed adjusted.
  • the apparatus of the present invention preferably includes at least two video probes 130,132 that are positioned to provide views of the surfaces of interest, as will be further explained below.
  • the video probes 130 used in the present invention are preferably of the fiber optic type such as the Olympus DES Fiberscope distributed by Olympus Corporation, Industrial Fiberoptics Division, 4 Nevada Drive, Lake Success, N.Y., U.S.A. 11042-1179.
  • many other types of borescopes or similar optical apparatus can provide the function of the video probes 130,132 to permit the observation and inspection of the inside of structures that cannot be observed directly from the outside.
  • the video probes 130,132 are attached to a motorized frame 134 controlled by the operator panel 120 and can be moved relative to the bearing inspection stand 110.
  • the video output signals of the video probes 130,132 are preferably transmitted, respectively, to dual video display monitors 140,142.
  • the choice of video monitors 140,142 depends upon the application, i.e., the type of bearing inspection being undertaken, and also upon the requirements of the video probes 130,132. Additionally, a single monitor using a split screen or switching screen may also be useful in certain embodiments.
  • the embodiment of the present invention described herein is outfitted with two JVC Model TM-9U(A) Color Video Monitors, distributed by JVC Professional Products Company, 41 Slater Drive, Elmwood Park, N.J., U.S.A. 07407.
  • the views provided by the video monitors 140,142 include a scale 144, either as a transmitted image or physically placed on or adjacent to the screen of the video monitors 140,142.
  • a first video probe 130 is inserted into a bearing or a portion of a bearing, e.g., a bearing case, and placed on the inspection stand 110.
  • the first video probe 130 is inserted between the roller cage and the inner race and has at least a portion of the surface being inspected within its field of view.
  • a second video probe 132 is then placed within the bearing.
  • the second video probe 132 is placed to view those portions of the bearing that are not within the field of view of the first video probe 130 so that the entire surface being inspected is in view.
  • the placement of the second video probe 132 is most preferably accomplished automatically using the movement of the motorized frame 134 described above.
  • the second video probe 132 will thus be able to view the area that previously had been inspected using a feeler gage.
  • the two views generated by the video probes 130,132 are preferably simultaneously displayed on the monitors 140,142, and the inner ring of the bearing is slowly rotated, preferably using the motor 110, and belt and pulley system 112,114 described above.
  • the operator simply observes the images presented by the monitors 140,142. Since they provide an accurate view of the actual surface, the visual detection of spalling, cracking, Brinelling and other defects is facilitated.
  • the images shown on the monitors 140,142 are enlarged, preferably to about 100 ⁇ , permitting greater accuracy and the detection of minute flaws that cannot be detected with the naked eye.
  • the screens of the monitors 140,142 are marked with scales 142 that permit the operator to determine if the sizes of the defects shown exceed the maximum values set by the above-referenced Association of American Railroads Manual. As with the image itself, these scales 142 are depicted in an enlarged manner and further enhance the accuracy of the inspection process.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
US07/761,730 1991-09-18 1991-09-18 Dual optic video display bearing inspection system Expired - Fee Related US5309229A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/761,730 US5309229A (en) 1991-09-18 1991-09-18 Dual optic video display bearing inspection system
CA002078305A CA2078305A1 (fr) 1991-09-18 1992-09-15 Systeme d'inspection de paliers a double affichage video

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/761,730 US5309229A (en) 1991-09-18 1991-09-18 Dual optic video display bearing inspection system

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US5309229A true US5309229A (en) 1994-05-03

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US (1) US5309229A (fr)
CA (1) CA2078305A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5457326A (en) * 1993-05-18 1995-10-10 Daio Steel Ball Mfg. Co., Ltd. Surface inspection apparatus of spherical matter
US5485398A (en) * 1991-01-31 1996-01-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Shinkawa Method and apparatus for inspecting bent portions in wire loops
CN109187582A (zh) * 2018-09-28 2019-01-11 中国神华能源股份有限公司 铁路货车转向架的内腔裂纹探测方法及系统

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3830969A (en) * 1971-10-14 1974-08-20 Princeton Electronic Prod System for detecting particulate matter
US4315688A (en) * 1979-08-08 1982-02-16 Diffracto Ltd. Electro-optical sensor systems for thread and hole inspection
US4576482A (en) * 1979-09-07 1986-03-18 Diffracto Ltd. Electro-optical inspection
US4644394A (en) * 1985-12-31 1987-02-17 Dale Reeves Apparatus for inspecting an externally threaded surface of an object
US4672437A (en) * 1985-07-08 1987-06-09 Honeywell Inc. Fiber optic inspection system
US4993836A (en) * 1988-03-22 1991-02-19 Agency Of Industrial Science & Technology Method and apparatus for measuring form of three-dimensional objects
US5012116A (en) * 1989-10-12 1991-04-30 Russell John P System for inspecting bearing balls for defects

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3830969A (en) * 1971-10-14 1974-08-20 Princeton Electronic Prod System for detecting particulate matter
US4315688A (en) * 1979-08-08 1982-02-16 Diffracto Ltd. Electro-optical sensor systems for thread and hole inspection
US4576482A (en) * 1979-09-07 1986-03-18 Diffracto Ltd. Electro-optical inspection
US4672437A (en) * 1985-07-08 1987-06-09 Honeywell Inc. Fiber optic inspection system
US4644394A (en) * 1985-12-31 1987-02-17 Dale Reeves Apparatus for inspecting an externally threaded surface of an object
US4993836A (en) * 1988-03-22 1991-02-19 Agency Of Industrial Science & Technology Method and apparatus for measuring form of three-dimensional objects
US5012116A (en) * 1989-10-12 1991-04-30 Russell John P System for inspecting bearing balls for defects

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5485398A (en) * 1991-01-31 1996-01-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Shinkawa Method and apparatus for inspecting bent portions in wire loops
US5457326A (en) * 1993-05-18 1995-10-10 Daio Steel Ball Mfg. Co., Ltd. Surface inspection apparatus of spherical matter
CN109187582A (zh) * 2018-09-28 2019-01-11 中国神华能源股份有限公司 铁路货车转向架的内腔裂纹探测方法及系统

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Owner name: CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:STOLTZ, KENNETH;REEL/FRAME:005872/0991

Effective date: 19910911

Owner name: CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORPORATION

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:STEETS, PAUL G.;REEL/FRAME:005872/0994

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Effective date: 19980503

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Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362